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Alexander Mair

Alexander Mair

M, #2962, b. 26 March 1876, d. 23 June 1896

Alexander Mair was born on 26 March 1876 at Portknockie, Banffshire, Scotland.1 He was the son of James Mair and Catherine Sclater. His family was known by the tee-name of "Shavie". He was listed as head of household's son in the 1891 census at 19 Portknockie, Banffshire, Scotland. Those recorded in the household were: Jas. Mair Shavie Campbell, head; Katrine Mair Shavie, wife; Geo. Mair Shavie, son; Joseph Mair Shavie, son; Alexr. Mair Shavie, son.2 Alexander Mair was a fisherman. Alexander died on 23 June 1896 at sea, about 1 mile from Cantick Head Lighthouse, Walls, Orkney, Scotland, at age 20. He drowned after falling overboard the Zulu fishing boat 'Topaz' BF 1822.3,4,1,5,6

[S2311] Alexander Mair "Shavie", Register of Deaths in the District of Seafield in the County of Banff, "Alexander Mair "Shavie", Fisherman (Single), died 1896, June Twenty Third about 7h 0m P.M. in little under a mile from Cantick Lighthouse, Pentland Firth, Us. Res. Portknockie, Male, 19 years. Father: James Mair "Campbell", Fisherman, Mother: Catharine Mair M.S. Slater. Cause of death: Drowning by falling overboard when assisting in setting sail of fishing boat "Topaz" B.F. 1822, as cert. by George Mair "Campbell" Brother and Skipper. Informant: George Mair "Campbell" Brother and Skipper (Present). Registered: 1896, June 26th at Manse of Seafield, James McIntyre, Registrar."

[S2310] Alexander Mair "Shavie", Register of Deaths in the District of Walls in the County of Orkney, "See Reg. of Cor. Ents., Vol. 1, P. 26, October 29th 1896. Alexander Mair "Shavie", Fisherman (Single), died 1896, June Twenty third, about a mile from Cantick Head Lighthouse, Walls, Us. Res. Portknockie, Male, 19 years. Father: James Mair "Campbell", Fisherman, Mother: Catherine Hales or Mair (sic). Cause of death: Drowning, Accidentally falling overboard into the sea per the verdict of a jury, Body not Recovered. Informant: Registered on the information of M. L. Howmden?, Procurator Fiscal. Registered: 1896, October 31 at Walls, Alex. F. Groat, Registrar."

[S2388] Disasters at Sea, Aberdeen Weekly Journal, "PORTKNOCKIE FISHERMAN DROWNEDAbout seven o’clock on Tuesday night Alex. Mair, aged 19, was setting the jib of the fishing boat Topaz as she was passing through the Pentland Firth, off Cantick Lighthouse, on her way home to Portknockie, lost his hold, and fell into the water. His brothers, George and Joseph, at the risk of their lives, leapt immediately into the sea, and got quite close to him, but he sank at their side. About ten years ago another brother, William, was drowned near the Skate Hole."